Wink News - Rep. Mack hopes lawmakers can avoid shutdown

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Congressman Connie Mack says Democrats need to stop saying "no, no, no" and help reach a compromise on spending cuts.

The Representative from Florida's 14th Congressional District was in Fort Myers for a special flag raising ceremony Monday.

"I think there are solutions, but I would suggest to them that they should meet us on this desire to cut spending," said Mack (R- FL). "All we heard in Washington while we were trying to move amendments and cut spending, all we heard is the Democrats get up and say 'no, no no'."

Lawmakers have until next Friday to stop our government from shutting down.

"I would hope that the Democrats and the President will recognize that the American people spoke out and that we want to cut spending and I hope they'll join us in that effort," Mack told reporters Monday at Centennial Park.

Congress reconvenes next week and needs to come up with an emergency spending plan to keep our government running.

"I still think there's a lot of time to get something done," Mack said regarding the March 4th deadline. "I haven't heard the President or the Democrats, I haven't heard them say, they won't accept this so I would hope they wouldn't shut the government down."

Republicans cut $61 billion from this year's budget, but Democrats and the White House are opposed to them.

If lawmakers can't reach an agreement, the government will shift to performing essential functions only.

That means national parks and museums will be closed, new Social Security benefits will go unprocessed and government employees will have to stay home from work.

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